I'm going through my birthday shows and I found this one. Great show! Great era for the band--they're getting better and better. Good sound--you can hear how tight the band is. Definitely worth a listen. High 4 stars!

Though perhaps not as cohesive as the performances to come during Europe 72, this is still easily one of the finest versions of Dark Star of the year. Awesome interplay during the Feelin Groovy segment and prior buildup, the jamming taken at an incredible pace. Jerry just crushes the whole way through. And Phil is otherworldly, hitting some astonishing notes very high in his register that I don't think I've heard the likes of anywhere else.

Nice China>Rider, too.

hold on whoa, at 13:11 of Dark Star....is Lesh playing an Eyes of the World bassline?!?!

Four shows in four nights is not the ideal schedule.
Dark Star is a gift, but certainly three stars compared to February-April.

It may be hard to belive, but by midyear 1971 it was starting to look like St. Stephen (aka "the Stephen") was going tobe shelved for a while. however, this October flurry of Stephens gave hope to its return in vein, as its next time played owuld be a week later on Halloween, then it owld be shelved until 6/9/76. It was played just 10 time sin '71 and none from 4/28 until 8/6. There were just 12 Stephens in '76 and 14 in '77, 4 in '78 and 1 in '79. We got 3 in '83 then this tune was history. So after this show, it would only be played 33 more times over 24 years. Its a crisp version here as well. Jerry plays nice slow leads that swell in bobs chords. The place ment after cumberland makes it rare as well.
The Dark Star feels perfunctory at first then gets a little squirrley around the 12 minute mark with anice transition into Bobby Mcgee. This show feels like as early as you can get to '72. The band is ready to burst and the playing features a nice , albeit, 3 minute jam- you can tell Jerry is starting to figure out what he wants out of 'playin'...sound quality is good not fantastic, but very nice- 4 stars!

If you're a fan of Keith's first tour with the Boyz, then you'll dig this show as it is great from start to finish. He really injected a fresh energy into the band, and Garcia in particular. That combined with the fact that Billy had become used to being the only drummer by this point (and a kick-ass one at that), and Bobby had essentially become a 2nd lead guitarist (check out his contributions to China > Rider) make this tour the start of what would become the band's peak years of '72-74. While everything is top-notch and worth a listen, check out the China > Rider, Black Peter, and Dark Star for some examples of how good things were during this tour.

Like the posts below mention, Things are beginning to happen! Great show!

This is a must hear. 5 stars for everything. Phils licks are just off the chart on this one. great great show- start to finish

Nice Candyman. Dark Star is jazzy, beginning of later period.

I have just recently stumbled across these amazing October shows whilst digging through setlists.net for some new material to listen to, and man am I glad. These early Keith/no Pigpen shows have a special magic about them. It was the birth of new songs and the development of older ones. I really like how Keith's piano sounds like an old honky-tonk upright from a saloon out west! As you will find with most '71 shows, the focus is on steady, loose jams. The Workingman's and American Beauty songs are beginning to develop into their '72 presentations, and the loose ends are being tied up in terms of song structure and knowing the material. The sound quality is "just exactly perfect" as Bobby would say.

This is one of those shows where every song is worth a listen. Highlights for me include; Candyman, a killer China>Rider, Truckin', and the token Dark Star. Be sure to check out 10/27,29,30 as well. They are all great shows with that rich, pure '71 early Keith sound. No Pigpen at these shows, I am not sure why. I will have to find out! Enjoy!

**Note: This show contains one of only three pre-1976 St. Stephen performances with Keith. The Dead put St. Stephen on the shelf for awhile, and during the Bickershaw Festival '72 (right before Sugar Magnolia) Bobby claims that the band has totally forgotten the song and would need to learn it all over again in the future. This is a great performance nonetheless.

Pig Pen was not with the band on these shows as he was battling with his liver disease that would eventually claim his life. That is why the band sought out a new keyboard player -- Piggie was absent a lot in 71 due to ill health.

This whole period is a delight from Keith's arrival through the rest of 71 when Piggie would come back to the fold. You hear the sound as it would blossom in Europe the next spring. But on their own, this tour tour stands on its own as a peak point. Everything is being played "deliberatly." By that I mean, connected, flowing, unified, the whole band is gelling together as symbiotic unit, playing off each other, and knowing where they are going with every tune. Thanks to all who make these recordings available.

Peace.

I love the fall of 1971. Many shows were "simulcast" on local FM stations, and the Dead seemed to put in extra effort. Even though I didn't attend a concert until March of '73, I consider Dec 5, 1971 (at the Felt Forum in NYC)to be my first show. I was listening live and recording every second - 1 90-minute cassette for the New Riders and 3 for the Dead. It was my first exposure to the new material and I was sober as a judge, yet I was singing along by the end of Tennesse Jed!

Thanks for the memories.

the guy below me says it all, all tunes are played great, there was definitely a good connection that night, solid playing. I also really think this early keith piano sound is sweet.

Came for the Dark Star, stayed for the show...

This is the kind of show where each number is just really damned good. The team is really in sync. By the time it was over a certain peaceful easy feeling had passed thru my body. Honest folks, this is just one of those shows that makes you smile.

Too many hi lights to start naming ... ok my fave's: A beautiful Black Peter,A "Pre-Jazzy" but more "jammy" than before Playing,the obviously beautiful Dark Star (honest...in my opinion thats a good adjective for this one.)

I really dig this show.

This had me Moving my head like Stevie Wonder.

You've got to check out Phil in China>Rider. He's right out front and thumpin' away. Phenomenal!

Have heard alot of shows and this is one of my favorites so far - Bobby with his daffy jokes, funk tenn jed, china>rider, great dark star. Hiss is a little bit of an issue but not really. High 4 / low 5. You should enjoy this one!

A little 2 disc smoker! Again, a strong song list gets your attention - Deal, Jack Straw, Black Peter and Candyman - even if the beginning is cut a little. This version features a rare appearance of Keith on organ! And listen to Jerry's jamming on Playin - a harbinger of versions to come.

The Second set is where they really pour on the cosmic dazzle, with a Dark Star spanning 20 minutes and every bit as good as 2/18 or 4/28. A gentle, spacy intro, then they left turn into a fast & furious MLB type jam. Beautiful and joyous. A "second phase" Dark Star" - not as eyeball-peeling as 1969, nor as jazzy as 1973, but an entity unto itself.
With a Ramble On, Cumberland and St. Stephen added in, this is a JERRY show folks! Previously overlooked, this one needs to be on your 1971 shelf. Recommended for Dark Star fans especially.
enjoy,
Dr. Flashback ;-)

nobody knows abou this one? nice sounding band...major hiss on recording...check the early jack straw....sweet dark star too....